Speed and temperature controlled switching mechanism



Sept. 15, 1959 w. J. WILLIAMS SPEED AND TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED SWITCHING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 5, 1958 INVENTOR.

ATTURNGY United States Patent 6 SPEED AND TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED SWITCHING MECHANISM William J. Williams, Wilmette, Ill.

Application February 5, 1958, Serial No. 713,506

7 Claims. (Cl. 200-80) This invention relates to a combined speed and temperature controlled mechanism for operating electrical switches for various installations and has for its object to provide a governor-controlled switching element, in combination with a temperature-controlled means for effecting an accurate operation of a switch mechanism at a predetermined speed, irrespective of large variations in temperature, so that notwithstanding such variations in temperature, the switch actuation shall be at the exact speed desired.

More specifically, my invention includes the use of a lever system in which a part will move toward or away from a part of the governor mechanism in accordance with temperature changes to compensate for such temperature changes over a large range, whereby a very high degree of accuracy may be obtained in the actuation of a switch at predetermined speeds, regardless of such substantial changes in temperature.

It is a further object of the invention to interpose in a governor-controlled switch actuating mchanism a temperature varying means to offset inaccuracies in the predetermind or desired speed at which the switch mechanism would otherwise be actuated, due to substantial changes in temperature. Moreover the action herein provided is adjustable for any desired speeds.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this invention such as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the related elements of the structure, to various details of construction and to combinations of parts, elements per se, and to economies of manufacture and numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration of the specification and drawings of a form of the invention, which may be preferred, in which:

Figure I is a vertical sectional view showing the governor mechanism at zero speed position;

Figure II is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, showing the parts at a predetermined or desired speed of rotation of the governor at which the switch is to be operated;

Figure III is a plan view of a detail of the temperature controlling element;

Figure IV is a section of line IV--IV of Figure I;

Figure V is a partial elevational view on line VV of Figure I; and

Figure VI is a vertical elevational view of a modification of my invention.

Referring to the drawings, 10 is a lower governor housing part adapted to provide a bearing 11 for the governor shaft 12 as indicated. The switch mechanism broadly is indicated at 13 and is carried on the under- Patented Sept. 15, 1959 side of the top of the upper housing part or cover member 14, which is adjustably fixed to the lower housing -10, as shown in Figures IV and V. This adjustment is provided in the inclined slot and set screw 15 as shown. The switch mechanism 13 shown in the embodiment of Figures I to V is a special hermetically sealed type of microswitch. A combined switch actuator and depending pivot member 16 is actually flexibly fixed in the bottom face of the sealed casing of the micro-switch 13. This rivet or pin 16 also is adapted to be fixed to and operated by my improved lever system 17 With the temperature compensation incorporated therein, which lever system is in turn actuated by a governor part or plunger so that the operation of member 16 is controlled at a predetermined desired speed by the governor mechanism, and also by the means to compensate for temperature variations,

as indicated above.

The governor mechanism shown may be of various types and is provided with the flyweights 18 pivoted as at 19 to a suitable bracket or base, 20, rotated by the governor shaft 12. The weights 18 have the cam members 21 adapted to ride in the groove between the two collars 23, which is connected to the specially constructed and operating extendable and retractable plunger 25, the position of which is dependent on variations in speed. This plunger member 25 consists of two telescoping portions in the upper portion of which the button or contact element 26 is carried by an outer sleeve 28 telescoping on a central portion of said plunger 25 which has an upper cylindrical recessed portion 29 for receiving the spring 27. Above the collar 23, a transverse pin 24 is fixed to and protrudes externally of the plunger member 25 so that the sliding sleeve 28 having closed ended slots 24' therein may receive said protruding ends of said pin 24 to guide and limit the travel of sleeve 28 relative to the plunger member 25 under the action of the preloaded spring 27, whose tension is made such that in the first operation of the device the entire element 25 operates as a unit and the telescoping parts are not collapsed. However when a part of the switch actuating elements come in contact with the switch base, further upward pressure by the governor would cause the spring 27 to collapse and the sleeve 28 will slide downwardly, so that further increase in speed will greatly reduce the pressure on the operating parts.

The button element or contact member 26 is of special material or is preferably made of a tetrafluoroethylene resm.

To move the switch actuating pin member 16, I fix thereto a temperature controlled lever member arranged with its free end extending over the upper end of the plunger 25. This special lever 17 includes means whereby upon an increase or decrease of temperatures, for example, the end of the plunger 25 will still contact the free end of the switching lever system 17 at a fixed desired predetermined point, so that the switch will be operated at the predetermined desired speed. An increase in temperature naturally expands the parts. Hence the plunger 25 would otherwise contact the switching lever at an earlier speed if the temperature of all parts were substantially increased. In the embodiment of Figures IV, I provide a bi-metallic member 30 arranged so that for a desired speed, this element will move the part or contact block 17 which contacts the plunger tip 26 away from said plunger if the temperature increases, and this bi-metallic member 30 is arranged to exactly compensate for these changes in temperature. drops, the reverse occurs.

More specifically, by connecting the bi-metallic member 30 to the rivet or pin 16, attention is called to the transverse arm 31 fixed to rivet 16, guided by depending guides 32, said arm 31 having an upturned end 33 to form a stop against the bottom of switch member 13. The other end of arm 31 has on its underside a semicircular spacing washer 34 to which the bi-metallic lever 30 is riveted by three rivets 35 as indicated in Figure III. The other .end of lever 30 carries the contact block 17' as indicated above. Hence there is a continuous fixed connection from block 17 through bi-metallic lever 30, washer 34 and arm 31 to the depending switch actuating rivet or pin 16.

In Figure VI the switch assembly 13 has a sliding depending switch actuating pin 38. The switch assembly 13 may have depending side walls 39 as indicated to which a cross pivot 40 is secured. This pivot 40pivotally supports a switch actuating lever 41, having one arm 42 adapted to contact a stop 43 on the base of the switch assembly. The other side of lever 41 is arranged to carry the bi-metallic temperature compensating lever 44, and to this end it will be seen that I have a post 45 carried by said switch lever 41 depending therefrom sothat the bi-metallic lever 44 is fixed to said post at one end of said lever 44-. The other end of bi-metallic lever 44 has the governor contacting portions 46 as shown.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modifications and different arrangements may be made other than is herein disclosed and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the invention comprehending all variations thereof.

What I claim is:

1. A combined speed and temperature controlled switching unit including a speed controlled governor mechanism; an extendable and retractable member associated with said governor and arranged to be moved into various positions dependent upon the speed of said governor; a switch having an operating member; a switch operating lever system interposed between said switch and governor positioned members and arranged to actuate the switch, said lever system including a temperature compensating element whereby said switch is operated by said governor mechanism at predetermined speeds notwithstanding temperature variations over-a wide range of temperature changes.

2. A combined speed and temperature controlled switching unit including a speed controlled governor mechanism; an extendable and retractable member adapted to eliect operation of the switch, said member associated with said governor and arranged to be moved into various positions dependent upon the speed of rotation of an element of said governor; a switch having an operating member; switch operating means interposed between said switch member and said extendable and retractable governor member to actuate the switch; said switching means including an element whose position is varied by temperature changes, said element adapted to compensate for temperature changes in the operation of said lever means whereby said switch is operated by said governor mechanism at predetermined speeds notwithstanding temperature variations over a wide range of temperature changes.

3. A combined speed and temperature controlled switching unit including a speed controlled governor mechanism; an extendable and retractable plunger adapted to eifect operation of the switch, said plunger associated with said governor and arranged to be moved into various positions dependent upon the speed of rotation of an element of said governor; a switch having an operating member extending toward said plunger; a switch operating lever adapted to contact said switch member to actuate the switch; a bi-metallic leaf element responsive to temperature changes attached to said lever adapted to be con- If the temperature tacted by the speed controlled plunger and arranged to compensate for temperature changes in the operation of said lever by said plunger, the unit arranged whereby said switch is operated by said governor mechanism at predetermined speeds independently of temperature variations over a wide range of temperature changes.

4. A combined speed and temperature controlled switching unit comprising a governor mechnism; a telescoping two part extendable and retractable switch operating plunger; said governor mechanism having fly-weight and spring return means associated with said plunger to determine the position of said plunger dependent upon the speed of rotation of an element of said governor mechanism; a switch having an operating pin extending toward said plunger; a pivoted switch operating lever arranged to actuate said switch pin; a bi-metallic leaf responsive to temperature changes attached to said lever; said telescoping two part plunger having a preloaded spring interposed between said parts; a wearing button carried by said plunger adapted to be contacted by said leaf to actuate said switch lever, the mechanism arranged whereby said switch is operated by said governor mechanism at predetermined speeds independently of temperature variations over a wide range of temperature changes.

5. A combined speed and temperature controlled switching unit including a two part enclosing casing a speed controlled governor mechanism located in one of said casing parts; an extendable and retractable member associated with said governor and arranged to be moved into various positions dependent upon the speed of said governor; a switch carried by the other of said two part casing, said switch having an operating member; a switch operating lever system interposed between-said switch and governor positioned members and arranged to actuate the switch, said lever system including a temperature compensating element whereby said switch is operated by said governor mechanism at predetermined speeds not withstanding temperature variations over a wide'range of temperature changes, and means whereby said two parts of said casing may be adjusted toward and away from each other to vary the speed at which said switch lever is actuated by said governor controlled extendable and retractable member.

6. A combined speed and temperature controlled switching unit including a speed controlled governor mechanism; an extendable and retractable member associated with said governor and arranged to be moved into various positions dependent upon the speed of said governor; a spring for normally holding said member in retracted position; a switch having an operating member; a switch operating lever system interposed between said switch and governor positioned member and arranged to actuate the switch, said lever system including a temperature compensating element whereby said switch is operated by said governor mechanism at predetermined speeds notwithstanding temperature variations over a wide range of temperature changes, the construction arranged whereby at zero speeds a space is interposed between said extendable and retractable member controlled by the governor speed and said switch operating lever system thereby avoiding wear on the parts until a pre-determined speed is reached and the centrifugal force of the flyweights overcomes the pressure of saidspring.

7. A combined speed and temperature controlled switching unit including a speed controlled governor mechanism; an extendable and retractable member associated with said governor and arranged to be moved into various positions dependent upon the speed of said governor; a spring for normally holding said member in retracted position; a switch having an operating member; a switch operating lever system interposed between said switch and governorpositioned member and arranged to actuate the switch, said lever system including a temperature compensating element whereby said switch is operated by said governor mechanism at predetermined speeds notwithstanding temperature variations over a Wide range of temperature changes, the construction arranged whereby at zero speeds a space is interposed between said extendable and retractable member controlled by the governor speed and said switch operating lever system thereby avoiding Wear on the parts until a predetermined speed is reached and the centrifugal force of the flyweights overcomes the pressure of said spring and means to adjust and lock said lever system in various positions relative to said retractable member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Mar. 13, 1957 

